Heidepriem's Running Mate Switches Parties

SIOUX FALLS, SD -
Scott Heidepriem's attempt at a bi-partisan ticket for governor in South Dakota has been torn down after the Republican Secretary of State said state law wouldn't allow him to certify the team for the ballot.

Heidepriem says he believes the law allows registered Republican Ben Arndt to be his running mate on a Democratic ticket.
But late Friday, Arndt registered as a Democrat to prevent a court date with Secretary of State Chris Nelson.

"We wanted to have a unity ticket to say to the people of South Dakota that there are things more important than partisan politics. But, what better way to make that point than to have the Republicans force us to not have a unity ticket," Heidepriem said.

Arndt changed parties because Heidepriem had heard Nelson would not certify the bi-partisan ticket if Arndt was not a Democrat before this weekend's state convention.

"We began fielding calls from people familiar with this and we would confirm that yes in fact he's going to have to switch his party affiliation before the actual nomination takes place," Nelson said.

Heidepriem says Lieutenant Governor candidates are not picked in a primary so the law doesn't apply to Arndt. Heidepriem could have challenged the law in court but decided to let Arndt decide what to do.

"Then my choice is I can take him to court and try to get that reversed and spend money and time, or I left in in Ben Arndt's hands and he said I'll re-register," Heidepriem said.